GRADE 3 MATHEMATICS-Unit 2
Dear Parents,
Here is what your child is learning in Grade 3, Unit 2 along
with some specific ways you can help. Look for additional newsletters
for upcoming units.
MEASUREMENT
Students need to:
• Estimate and/or measure length to solve problems.
• Estimate and count to find the area and perimeter of figures.
• Solve problems involving the area and perimeter of figures.
2. Ted wants to put a fence around a
rectangular garden. He wants the
garden to be at least 10 square units.
Ted wants to use exactly 18 units of
fencing. Use materials provided by
Find the length of the figure to the
your teacher to model possible
nearest cm.
gardens. Record 2 different models
that will meet Ted’s needs.
Sample response:
Approximately 8 cm
Sample response:
Examples:
1. Look at the figure below.
3. Look at the two pins below.
When the two pins are put end to end, what is the total length of the two pins?
Sample response:
6 cm
Vocabulary
Area: the number of square units needed to cover a flat surface
Perimeter: the distance around a figure
For additional activities, visit www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/Math
WAYS
PARENTS CAN HELP
• Look for opportunities for
your child to practice
measuring length in
centimeters or inches. For
example, measure fabric, the
length and width of a picture
frame, or the height of a
plant.
• To practice finding area,
explore efficient ways to
count the number of square
tiles on a floor, ceiling, or
shower. For a rectangular
region, children might count
the number of tiles in the first
row; then, add the tiles in
each row to determine the
total area of square tiles.
• Trace a leaf onto a piece of
graph paper. Estimate the
area of the leaf by counting
the whole squares first; then,
by combining and counting
partial squares. Add the two
amounts to determine the
estimate.
• Estimate and determine the
number of steps it takes to
walk around the perimeter of
a rug or room.
• Estimate and measure the
amount of ribbon needed to
go around the perimeter of a
picture frame or other art
project.
• Encourage your child to use
pictures to represent
measurement conversion.
For example,
3 feet = ? inches
3 ft
1 ft.
12 in.
1 ft.
1 ft.
12 in.
12 in.
12 in. + 12 in. + 12 in. = 36 in.